This blog has been created by and for the Kinast Family. As we begin to grow and branch out, we thought it might be fun to create a place where we could learn and share about one another. In this blog, you will hear stories about funny situations we have been in, current status on family, things that have helped us to grow as people and other positive impacts that we have each experienced in our lives. So, sit back, take a few moments to relax, and learn about those you love who will always love and support you in your life...

7.23.2014

July Fun!

Adelynn ready to hit the ball in her T-ball game.
Our summer is going way too fast! Here are some of our July activities. 


Aunt Mary was home for the July 4th activities!
Enjoying the parade.

4th of July breakfast.
Pam, Randy and Charles played in the municipal band.
Garden goodies.  We have tomatoes and two melons on!!

Enjoying ice cream after Adelynn's VBS program.

Grandma and Grandpa went to see Sarah and Dan's new house and enjoyed playtime too.

Charles enjoying his Wizard of Oz train for his birthday.

Adelynn with Humpty Dumpty after story time at Bluebird books.
Park fun.

Bubbles are fun!!

Family photo May 29,2014

7.06.2014

Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a good 4th of July! It was wonderful to see those of you who were at Grandma and Grandpa's and I missed those of you who weren't there.

I've been busy the last month training Gus. He now goes with me about everywhere. We are working hard on his public access skills. He has mastered many situation. Last week he went to his first sit-down restaurant and we hope to repeat that experience this week as we celebrate (a very, very late) father's day dinner.

Gus is 7 months old and is unusual in the fact that he can be doing so much so soon. I was told before I got him that English Cream golden retrievers (which is what he is) mature faster. This seems to be the truth. Gus is a very mellow, mature dog. Of course he still has puppy days and in the evenings can be a holy terror but by and large he is an amazing dog especially for his age.

Benny's seizures are well controlled on his current dose of medication. We had to up it a few weeks ago as he was having a seizure about once a week. He always has them at night. It's so scary. The afterwards is almost scarier sometimes. He is doing well on the new dose but unfortunately the meds seem to affect his behavior. He is sometimes anxious, barkey and unpleasant to be around. You don't see it if you don't live with him but it can be hard sometimes. We all just love him through it.

I am going to a mystery book club down at Bluebird Books and this week decided to try their Brown Bag book club. I'm looking forward to that. I'm trying to meet some new people and also expand my reading horizons.

I take my final for the entire Animal Behavior College courses on the 18th and then I am done and will have graduated!! I'm excited to have achieved something. It's been a long time since i can say that I did something tangible. Related to that is that I am starting my own petsitting business. I hope to have business cards and a website up soon.

I am also planning to go back to school. I think I have settled on online school after much back and forth between going to WSU, Friends, Sterling or doing it all online. I have chosen online so I can start my business and devote time to it. The commute to Wichita or Sterling would remove too many hours in a day. I'm not sure what my degree will be in yet. Right now I'm just aiming to get my bachelors. Not so much concerned with what it is in. I just want to enjoy what I take. I believe I will be going through Fort Hays.

Well that's all for me. I'm having trouble uploading pictures so this one is all I've got. I'll add more when I'm on another computer. I'm having computer trouble and we all know how stressful that can be.
Love,
Kate, Gus and Benny




7.01.2014

Shook Update

We are amazed at how fast the summer is going by.  Samuel continues to play in his band.  They are about to produce a cassette that will give you a link to go on line and listen to the band.

The first part of June we went on the garden and architecture tour in College Hill.  Auntie, Aunt Pam, Grandma and Grandpa came over.  Grandpa rode his scooter and only killed it twice on our bumpy sidewalks:)
This is a picture of one of the vegetable gardens.



Tim had a good father's day.  Complete with a rejuvenation of the old antique cultivator.


While Hannah was home visiting, we took up the carpet on the stairs.  Now the room really has a "ring" to it. We plan to contact a hardwood floor person for ideas on how to best refinish it.  And look for a couple of area rugs to give Tim's ears a break while teaching his piano lessons:)



Tim has finished interviewing people for the open string position at Southwestern.  They hope to have someone hired soon.

We are currently visiting Hannah and went to Sea World today.  A very fun place but plan to be wet.  We all got drenched at least once!
Look for the three dolphins in the air!

Shamu

Seal Show 

After the Shamu Show - drenched!


Here's one of my favorite views of summer!




Best wishes to all as we head to the 4th of July.

Love Vicki, Tim and Samuel



6.23.2014

Rivers Ripple

A week late due to VBS, but here none the less! 

Summer has officially started and we are enjoying it to the fullest.  Summers seem to fly by, more so than the regular school year.  Perhaps it is because the bucket list is full!

We all went on vacation to Springfield, MO with the family.  Aside from a sick Kinley, it was a good time. 

Sarah has been meeting on a regular basis with her friend, Jessica, to plan for MOPS, which will start in September.  We are excited, but it is going to take a lot of planning!  She's also been participating in a women's Bible study and meeting with her mom's group at church.  The majority of her time is spent keeping things running smoothly, playing with two small girls, and trying to keep Brisco in line.  Sarah is picking up some extra hours for work through the summer and also at St Teresa.  She continues to try new recipes and attempt to read when she can!

Dan was promoted to the Digital Media Manager in May.  He manages the web team and meets regularly with all of the other managers at KWCH.  He's still doing lots of projects, redesigns, and the like.  He's now playing regularly with the group The 33, most recently performing in Hutch at the Smallville festival.  

Olivia is now 3.5.  She has been taking gymnastics for a few months and seems to really enjoy it.  In July, she'll take a break and do swim lessons.  Her imagination is fun to observe and participate with.  Today she used her rescue rope to tie up her pony and princess figures, "climb" the fence with, and she also built Elsa's castle.  I'm fairly sure I also heard something about Grammy's house...  Olivia has loved being able to ride her new bike and wants to take the training wheels off.  She's made a few friends in the neighborhood and also at church.  Most recently her best friend list included, Toby from VBS, and Adelynn. 

Kinley is 18 months!  She is imitating words and adding new ones to her vocabulary.  Her most recent addition is "ouchie".  She enjoys getting into whatever Olivia is playing with.  But, her favorites are the stroller and baby doll, balls, computer, coloring, and anything you put in/take out.  She likes to help.  We continue to avoid a lot of direct dairy sources and are beginning to wean her reflux medication.  Yay, food journal time!

Brisco is showing some age.  Some days he wants to play, others he lounges about.  His allergies still flair up on occasion.  
Look they are holding hands!  (those are straws)

Boating with Daddy and Uncle Dave

Kinley and Mommy on vacation

"Grammy" helping Adelynn and Olivia feed the goats.

Kinley fell asleep at the zoo.  She was a trooper.


Hannah dropped by for a visit.

Miss Green Thumb showing offer her sunflowers.

Our garden.  Next year we might reduce the squash...and the grass.  They are taking over!

Got out the sprinkler last week.



Rapunzel was worn out after VBS (this is how I found her at Thursday nap).

Mother's Day 2014

Olivia's preferred activity.